The NFL opened its regular season with a bang during the first week with some memorable team and player performances. Make no mistake about it some teams exhibited outstanding playing skills while others lacked an established direction. Kansas City Chiefs vs. Pittsburgh Steelers is one of the marquee games of week two because of both teams’ performances during week one. It will be the 34th time the two face off including two postseason games this upcoming weekend. The Chiefs vs. Steelers positional matchups and coaching analysis preview feature real game day strategy to ink a win.
Chiefs vs. Steelers Positional Matchups
Special Team Units
The Chiefs special teams served NFL teams notice last weekend with Chiefs receiver “the Cheetah” Tyreek Hill. Hill broke open the game with a punt return for a 91-yard touchdown against the Chargers. Hill exploited the Chargers by using his misdirection, quickness and speed to outrun the Chargers coverage. The numbers point to a fast start for Hill and he will shine this Sunday versus the Steelers again.
Winner: Chiefs special teams
QB Patrick Mahomes/Receivers vs. Steelers Secondary
Kansas City quarterback Patrick Mahomes got off to a fast start by dissecting the Los Angeles Chargers secondary. Mahomes zipped the ball into tight spots to his receivers and kept the Chargers secondary guessing. He has an ace in the hole with tight end Travis Kelce and the cheetah lining up as an outside receiver. Look for Mahomes to target Steelers safeties Morgan Burnett and Sean Davis.
Winner: Chiefs
QB Ben Roethlisberger/Receivers vs. Chiefs Secondary
Steelers quarterback Ben Roethlisberger and receiver Antonio Brown will be a big challenge for the Chiefs secondary, especially if Chiefs safety Eric Berry does not return to the Chiefs lineup. Berry’s heel injury is day to day and no one will know until game time whether he will play. Look for Chiefs safety Ron Parker to make some plays again this week. He had seven tackles and an interception against the Chargers last week.
Steelers fantasy star receiver Antonio Brown will be Roethlisberger’s prime target. Brown compiled nine receptions for 93 yards against the Cleveland Browns in week one Steelers receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster should have another big game this week.
The Steelers running game will be challenged this week since their star running back Le’veon Bell is still out of the lineup. Kansas City defensive schemes will revolve around mixed blitzes to limit Roethlisberger’s check-downs at the line. Steelers rookie running back James Conner will be featured for the second week. Conner still has much to prove since he gained 135 yards on 31 carries.
Winner: Steelers
Coaching Matchup
The Pittsburgh Steeler defense today is far from the Steel Curtain fame from the glory years. Their inconsistencies with tackling against the run, as well as defending the pass, leaves them vulnerable to any up-tempo offense who can push the ball up the field. The Chiefs offense can exploit some good matchup opportunities.
On the other hand, the Steelers hot and sometimes cold prolific offense can spread the Chiefs defense and exploit them with short screens and deep go routes. One advantage for the Chiefs defense is Roethlisberger tends to hold the ball too long which leads to a high sack average. Give or take the Steelers play tougher with those terrible towels waving at Heinz Field.
Winner: Steelers